Denshield In A Steam Shower

Mike Finley

I'm debating back and forth between Dens shield or cement board in a steam shower. At first glance DS seems like the logical material since installed correctly it is it's own vapor barrier and is water proof. Then with a waterproof applied membrane over that it would seem to be bomb proof.

(I've been told that DS is not recommended in a steam shower by the manufacturer, but upon reading what the manufacturer says it seems to me that is in reference to a commercial application.) I've been meaning to call them, but haven't gotten around to it.

The other choice is regular old cement board. Vabor barrier installed behind it and a waterproof membrane applied over it.

Logic leans towards the DS, but a lot of opinions seem to lean toward cement board.

Is this an example of resistance to change and new materials or wise advice not to be taken lightly?

Chris Johnson

My own house has denshield and a steam unit, used daily in the winter and never in the summer, installed in '00 and still going till sold in '04, still talk to the new owners and they use it daily like me and no issues.

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Chris

Bill_Vincent

In the last three years, I've done about a half dozen steam showers. Every one of them, without fail has been Kerdi over Durock. You just can't beat it.

The only exception to that was a couple of steam ROOMS I did at a commercial health club. For that, it was 9235 over mud.

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"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

R&D Tile

Mike, I would use cementboard and kerdi like Bill stated for a steam shower, but NO vapor barrier like you stated, when waterproofing the face of a CBU or any other substrate, you don't install a barrier, creates a moisture sandwich.

Bill_Vincent

Richie-- it depends on which waterproofing you use. With either Laticrete waterproofing-- Hydroban or 9235, you DO need a vapor barrier as well. With the Kerdi, or say, something like Ultraset, you're right.

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"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

kevjob

Bill that is our recipe, durock then kerdi even though some of the boys at JB would argue with us

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

Bill_Vincent

Kevin, I've argued several times with them about that, the latest being about 2 weeks ago arguing with Kelly (CX). They're convinced that using Kerdi over sheetrock is no problem, and Schluter backs them up on it. I'm not so convinced.

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

kevjob

I am with you Bill drywall just doesn't belong in the steam shower maybe a regular shower but none of my steamers will ever see it.

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

Mike Finley

I talked with GP today and they verified that their caution in using DS in a steam shower is in regard to a commercial application. So that at least ends that issue in regard to the manufacturer. I'm certainly glad to hear it since the product would act as a 2nd water proof barrior and it would disturb me if they thought it was good enough for normal wet tile installations but not in a steam shower install.

Bill_Vincent

Hey Mike-- I did a couple of commercial steam rooms last summer, and asked why not use the Kerdi. I found out even KERDI isn't approved for commercial steam rooms, and from what I've seen, it doesn't get any better! The requirements are much more stringient and very specific with regards to commercial steamrooms versus residential steam showers.

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

Mike Finley

Bill do you think that is because of the sheer number of hours of greater use and abuse or just commercial code in general being more stringent then residential? (I know these aren't actually code issues as far as the underlayments.)

Bill_Vincent

Hey Mike-- I have a feeling it has more to do with how much use a commercial steam room will see versus a residential steam shower. Here's a thread I posted and kept up while I was doing those steam rooms:

http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/show...6&page=1&pp=15

Also, you might get in touch with Laticrete-- they just came out with a brochure on steam room construction, and it was based on this project.

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

Mike Finley

Is it commercial or residential? (Laticrete info)

Nice job on that one. 8 weeks on it. Be fun to have residential customers who could afford the bill on that.

Bill_Vincent

I might have one coming up!! I've got my fingers and toes crossed!! I gave a price to a local GC 2 weeks ago for him to submit a bid package that included 2500 feet of mudset 12x12 soapstone and limestone. That'd take me thru to probably the end of may if it were to start within the next few weeks.

AS for Laticrete's brochure, they have sections on both commercial AND residential installations.

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

Mike Finley

I gotta get out of the hood.

I'll check out the info, thanks.